|
The Sgrena Calipari Shooting – One Year Later
On March 4, 2005 I went to a debate on, of all things, journalism and war. As we waited in the lobby of the Palladium Theatre in Rome, word went round that Giuliana Sgrena, journalist for the Italian newspaper il manifesto who had been kidnapped in Baghdad one month earlier, had just been freed.
I had participated in the massive march in Rome on February 19 calling for her release, along with all hostages, and an end to the occupation of Iraq. During her captivity there had been a true public outpouring of support. News of her release was indeed welcome.
When we were finally allowed to enter the theatre, I started getting the sense that something was wrong. The announcement of her release was made from the stage, but there was something they weren't telling us, which I could only assume was bad news.
Gabriele Polo, editor of il manifesto, was suppose to take part, but I don't think he ever even made it to the theatre. The others present, which included several "embedded" journalists from RAI, Italian State TV, as well as media and foreign policy experts, took their places on stage but all were visibly shaken. Cell phones were ringing and being answered on stage, something unheard of in normal circumstances.
Shortly into the program, it was interrupted and the announcement was made. Sgrena had indeed been freed, but on the way to the airport her convoy had been fired upon by U.S. soldiers, fuoco amico. Sgrena was injured and a secret service agent, Nicola Calipari, had been killed. She was being taken to a hospital in Baghdad. They had waited for the news to be confirmed before announcing it.
I sank in my seat. Tears welled up in my eyes and a lump grew in my throat. A young Italian woman seated behind me said, "those fucking Americans." I know she didn't mean all of us. I should have turned around and said something and now wish I had, but at the time I couldn't move.
The next day an impromptu demonstration was organized in front of the U.S. Embassy in Rome. And though it was organized at the last minute, there were hundreds of people present, with slogans such as "Bush has changed: now he kills Italians, too." The street was blocked. After more than an hour the police, showing a certain sympathy, very slowly, very gently moved us back on the sidewalks. The funeral of Nicola Calipari also drew huge crowds.
The official version from the U.S. military claimed that the car with Sgrena, Calipari and a driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and had ignored numerous signals to stop. In addition, the Pentagon maintained that the proper authorities had not been notified of the transfer to the airport.
This version of the facts was contested by the Italian authorities, by Sgrena herself as well as the driver. The Italian government found itself in a very difficult situation as a staunch ally of the U.S. in Iraq, but with public demand for answers. Though most knew from experience that where U.S. soldiers are involved secrecy reigns and impunity is all but guaranteed. The wounds were still fresh from the 1998 incident in which a U.S. Marines plane flying too low to the ground cut a cable supporting a gondola at a ski resort on Cermis, with all 20 passengers plunging to their deaths. The two men piloting the aircraft were charged with negligent homicide and involuntary manslaughter. Both were acquitted.
In the end, in order to give the appearance of collaboration the two countries agreed to a joint investigation of the "Calipari Sgrena incident." Though a U.S. military spokesperson stated that Italy's involvement in the investigation was due to their possible responsibility in Calipari's death!
In late April the joint investigation resulted in two versions of the facts. The two countries were unable to arrive at shared conclusions, with the U.S. maintaining its initial version and exonerating the troops involved. The Italian government instead maintains that the car carrying Calipari and Sgrena had been driving slowly, that they had not received any warning at the roadblock and that the proper U.S. authorities had been advised of their mission. The two Italian members of the commission investigating the case refused to sign the U.S. version. Berlusconi, Italy's Prime Minister, requested an admission of error on the part of the U.S., which he did not receive.
According to the government, the case is closed. However others are still seeking the truth. Sigfrido Ranucci of Rai News 24, recently interviewed Wayne Madsen, ex NSA agent who claims Calipari's whereabouts had to be known, as the NSA monitors all cell phone traffic in war zones. And independent prosecutors in Rome have launched a criminal investigation against the soldier who pulled the trigger.
However, according to Giuliana Sgrena and Rosa Villecco, Calipari's widow, the investigation by the magistrates lacks the necessary political support. For Villecco, the case is anything but closed. She recently announced her candidacy for the Italian Senate with the Democrats of the Left, an opposition party, in part to continue the search for responses to the many unanswered questions.
Calipari was honored this weekend in Rome, with commemoration ceremonies marking the first anniversary of his death. The barracks of the secret service headquarters at Forte Braschi were named after him and a memorial stone was unveiled. There is also talk of naming a street in his honor. But perhaps the best way to honor Calipari would be with an independent investigation, supported by the State he served, and to hold those responsible to account.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
